By,
LCDR Mark E.P. Monaghan, U.S. Navy
Ancient Order of Hibernians, St. Patrick Div 1

    Patrick H. Monaghan, was born in County Mayo, Ireland on November 19, 1843.  With the onset of the Potato Famine while still a young lad, he decided to "jurie", or emigrate to America between 1849 and 1850.  He came through Philadelphia, and then settled to the west in Schuykill County to take up mining.  His Mayo relatives, my family, settled in and around Philadelphia.  The 1890 United States Census for Schuykill County showed Patrick at age 40, living at 243 Centre Street in Minersville, PA with his wife Bridget Derrick, a daughter, and 3 young sons.

 In July, 1861, the 48th Pennsylvania Volunteer Regiment was formed by order of Governor Curtin in response to the call for men by President Lincoln.  The 48th Pennsylvania Regiment was made up of Schuykill County men.  Company F was strictly made up of Minersville men.  Patrick  enlisted into the Regiment on August 12, 1861.  The 48th quickly made its way by ship and train to Fort Monroe.  Here the men received rigorous military training under the protective guns of Fort Monroe, and the U.S. Navy, blockading Hampton Roads.

The Action
The 48th Pennsylvania Regiment again resumed the march, crossing the Chickahominy River on the morning of the 14th, the James River on the the 15th, and on the afternoon of the 16th were entrenched before Petersburg.  They were a part of the 9th Corps of the Army of the Potomac.  The regiment then charged under a heavy artillery fire and seized a position in close proximity to the Confederate main line of works, which had been unsuccessfully attempted by the Second Corps earlier. Before daylight of the 17th the Forty-eighth and the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts, of the First Brigade, crossed a marsh, which was situated just in front, in single file and in perfect silence. The line was formed, and joined to a line composed of part of the Second Brigade, and by a sudden dash carried the rebel works and captured the men behind them. It was a complete surprise. The enemy's line was driven in confusion for half a mile, four pieces of artillery, fifteen hundred stand of arms, and six hundred prisoners were taken. Seeing in the melee three Confederates making for the rear,  one of them carrying a stand of colors, he promptly rushed at them and demanded their surrender.  They threw up their hands and Sergeant Monaghan of Company F, brought them in. When the flag was unfurled, it proved to be that of the 7th New York Heavy Artillery that had been captured the day before. A flag of the Forty-eighth Tennessee Regiment, on which was inscribed "Shiloh," was captured, by Private Robert A. Reid, of Company G, for which each received medals of honor. The losses in this charge for the 48th Pennsylvania  was seventy-five killed and wounded.
 

The Medal of Honor
MONAGHAN, PATRICK
“Rank and organization: Corporal, Company F, 48th Pennsylvania Infantry. Place and date: At Petersburg, Va., 17 June 1864. Entered service at: Minersville, Pa. Birth: Ireland. Date of issue: 1 December 1864. Citation: Recapture of colors of 7th New York Heavy Artillery.”  He had been wounded at the battles of Bull Run, the Wilderness and Petersburg.  Sergeant Patrick Monaghan received his Medal of Honor from General George Meade at the headquarters of Army of the Potomac on December 16, 1864.

Battle Honors of the 48th Pennsylvania National Guard Regiment
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia
Battle at Salisbury, North Carolina
Battle at 2nd Bull Run, Virginia on 29 August 1862
Battle at Antietam, Maryland on 17 September 1862
Battle on 29 November 1863
Battle on 17 March 1864
Battle at Wilderness, Virginia 05-11 May 1864
Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia 12-16 May 1864
Battle at North Anna River, Virginia 21-27 May 1864
Battle at Bethesda Church, Virginia on 30 May 1864
Battle at Near Shady Grove, Virginia on 31 May 1864
Battle at Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia on 31 May 1864
Battle at Bethesda Church, Virginia on 03 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia 03-16 June 1864.
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia on 16 June 1864
Battle at Crossing Of The James on 17 June 1864
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia on 17 June 1864
Battle at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on 17 June 1864
Battle at Cold Harbor, Virginia on 18 June 1864
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia: 18 June-19 August 1864.
Battle at Near Weldon RR, Virginia on 18 September 1864
Battle at Pegram's Farm, Virginia on 30 September 1864
Battle at Poplar Springs Church, Virginia on 30 September and 05 October  1864
Battle at Petersburg, Virginia: 18 November 1864-02 April 1865
Battle at Black And White's Station, Virginia on 06 April 1865

 Patrick Monaghan became a school teacher from 1873 to 1916, and was well-known in county education cirles as the longtime Superintendent of Girardville Public Schools.

 Lieutenant-Colonel Patrick Monaghan died in 1917 at the age of 74 years, and is buried in Girardsville, PA.